This is a microeconomic theory book designed for upper-division undergraduate students in economics and agricultural economics. Basic introductory college courses in microeconomics and differential calculus are the assumed prerequisites. The last, tenth, chapter of the book reviews some mathematical principles basic to the other chapters. All of the chapters contain many numerical examples and graphs developed from the numerical examples. The ambitious student could recreate any of the charts and tables contained in the book using a computer and Excel spreadsheets. There are many numerical examples of the key elements of marginal analysis. In addition, many practical examples are taken from the real world to illustrate key points. Most of the examples used in the book come from the food and agricultural industries, broadly defined. Examples in consumer choice and utility focus on consumer decisions to purchase hamburgers and French fries. Production examples involve choices farmers make in order to apply fertilizer to crops. Market models are employed that illustrate consumer choice between beef, pork and chicken at the grocery meat counter, and so on. A few of the examples do not employ agriculturally related goods, such as the examples dealing with the fate of the Polaroid corporation and its instant cameras, monopoly power of cable television providers and competition between the big three automakers in the 1950s. Each chapter begins with material that will be familiar to nearly any student who has passed an introductory microeconomics course. However, as each chapter progresses, the problems and the math required to complete them get tougher. Critical points throughout the text are highlighted in text boxes. The instructor need not use all of the sections of each chapter for a course as each section of each chapter is self-contained. Each chapter concludes with a basic summary of key points and a comprehensive list of terms and definitions. Students might choose to begin by reading the key summary points and definitions at the end of each chapter. Each chapter also contains a spreadsheet exercise for students to create examples similar to the tables and charts in the text.The book is designed for use in a one-semester course, covering the parts of microeconomics that nearly every instructor believes should be covered at the intermediate level, but also recognizing that most instructors will want to devote a few weeks of the semester to material specific to their own interests.David L. Debertin

Friendly and readable, Agricultural Marketing and Price Analysis presents a comprehensive approach to agricultural price analysis, agricultural market structures, and agricultural marketing strategies. The authors engage students with very little exposure to economics and with only a basic grasp of algebra. The text utilizes a fresh approach and supplies thorough coverage of core topics, as well as complex topics such as general equilibrium models, game theory, and econometrics. It also provides an introduction to data analysis and incorporates many examples. Supplemental materials are available for additional practice and further exploration. Unique to the Second Edition is the inclusion of a chapter on consumer behavior and food preferences, as well as relevant areas of research. The authors introduce readers to the agricultural supply chain, including forecasting and inventory management. Succinct and approachable, this text sets the stage for an enjoyable and effective learning experience.

Risk and uncertainty are inescapable factors in agriculture which require careful management. Farmers face production risks from the weather, crop and livestock performance, and pests and diseases, as well as institutional, personal and business risks. This revised third edition of the popular textbook includes updated chapters on theory and methods and contains a new chapter discussing the state-contingent approach to the analysis of production and the use of copulas to better model stochastic dependency. Aiming to introduce agricultural decision making, probability and risk preference, this book is an indispensable guide for students and researchers of agriculture and agribusiness management.

This book is a comprehensive resource for current information on changes in food production, distribution, and consumption.